Bali Hai, Royal Links and Royal Pines Golf in Vegas. Have you played these, what did you think ?

Bali Hai is based oon a tropical paradise, well worth it and cool views of Luxor and Mandy Bay!

If you can get away for the day Paiute is worth the half hr drive. Three great courses

They certainly look appealing ... and I could see myself playing them all.

All that green in the desert though ... just doesn't seem quite right!

OZ-Crocman.

From one Randy to another...

DO NOT play Desert Pines. It is a dump.

I have played all three and Royal Links and Bali Hai, while pricey, are pretty much worth it. Desert Pines is not. All 3 courses are owned by Walters Golf Group, and there is some interesting reading about them on the Blog-o-sphere.

The day I played DP I picked up after 4 holes because the greens were litlerally painted sand. Not a blade of grass. When I called out the ranger, he matter of factly said if you don't like it, then feel free to leave. Never seen anything like it. It is a plain and simple dump.

I agree about going up to the Paiute Courses. There is also Angle Park, which is a nice course, though not as scenic as Paiute. I also played a place a couple years ago called Wild Horse Golf Club. It's close to the airport and it was once owned by Howard Hughes. Nothing fancy, but it is a fun and sporty little course. I actually had a lot of fun out there and it didnt break the bank.

yes HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU. Desert Pines was a dump. not worth playing. I liked Bali hai, but the greens were in really bad shape, it did not affect the speed though. I like royal links the best.  I will play different courses next time I go for sure

Hey Randy, what did they slug you for your Vegas rounds ... and did you end up hiring a caddy? If so, how'd it go? OZ-Crocman

Desert Pines is terrible.  I had a bit better experience than Randy, but not much.  The water was nasty.  There was literally dead fish floating in it.  It's not as close to the strip as you would think and is in a pretty rough area.  The layout was poor, and it was way overpriced for what you get.  I wouldn't go back there.  

Vegas is a bit of a mess. You have to get off the strip and out to Henderson or up to Paiute where T Tiger goes.

 

Here's another thought. To play at The Wynn, cost is $500 a round. Why? It's a course built after demolishing the Desert Inn Course, which was an iconic "old style Vegas" course. It's a 100% fabrication of Steve Wynn's, and while a beautiful piece of property, its not woth 5 big ones. Heck, Pebble Brach is $500.

So Vegas has always been a non factor for me as far as golf goes. I prefer other locales much more.

RANDYWILDMAN

yes HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU. Desert Pines was a dump. not worth playing. I liked Bali hai, but the greens were in really bad shape, it did not affect the speed though. I like royal links the best.  I will play different courses next time I go for sure

Try these three:  Unless the course is aerating, that would be the only down side.

http://www.badlandsgc.com/
http://www.lvpaiutegolf.com/
http://www.tpc.com/tpc-las-vegas

The courses you mentioned above (I think) are now being run by Walters Golf, and I haven't really heard much positive from the locals about it.

Rio Seco is nice: http://www.riosecco.net/sites/courses/riosecco.asp?id=604&page=32622
Anthem is alright: http://www.reveregolf.com/index.php
I hear Bear's Best is good: http://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Bear-s-Best-Las-Vegas

 

But I hear for the total experience SC beats PB haunts down because of the amenities they offer! From the limo ride from hotel, caddies changing your least while they escort you to your locker,I'm requesting TW's or Jordan's in Nov. they ask you favorite drink and it's thre in your cart the entire round, caddies included- no tipping and the course is in immaculate condition the entire year and you don't see anyone the entire round, can't wait!

Tar Heel

Vegas is a bit of a mess. You have to get off the strip and out to Henderson or up to Paiute where T Tiger goes.

 

Here's another thought. To play at The Wynn, cost is $500 a round. Why? It's a course built after demolishing the Desert Inn Course, which was an iconic "old style Vegas" course. It's a 100% fabrication of Steve Wynn's, and while a beautiful piece of property, its not woth 5 big ones. Heck, Pebble Brach is $500.

So Vegas has always been a non factor for me as far as golf goes. I prefer other locales much more.

$500 a round? I read that right did't I. $500 a round? Whew! The place must be pumping!

The only way I'd pay $500 for a round is if they had gold nuggets sitting on the fairway.

And just to make certain you know where I'm coming from I wouldn't even pay $500 to play at Augusta ... well on second thoughts ... maybe ... but I can assure you that would be the only place.

OZ-Crocman

There are many good courses in Vegas

The three you mentioned are very popular. I did not see the date you are leaving but check out the condition of '"Aliante"

CROCMAN

Hey Randy, what did they slug you for your Vegas rounds ... and did you end up hiring a caddy? If so, how'd it go? OZ-Crocman

 

First let me say I am 80-90 kind of player most of the time but I am working on it. Royal links was $80 and I shot 90 with a snowman. nice course with a lot of bunkers. This course mimic's the british open holes (but no wind)so they had some deep pot bunkers. No caddie's, it was 97 when I finished at 9:30 am. Desert Pines I would not play again, designed to mimic pinehurst #2 it looked cheap and played cheap hated it and the greens rolled like crap. It was $40 and no caddie's and it was 100 by the time I was done at 9:00am I don't know what I Shot but I played with a little league dad and his son. The son had downs syndrome and a sweet swing and was playing well but his dad cheer leading and yelling at him threw my game in the dust. Bali hai has the worst looking greens I have ever seen. but they played fast and I had little problems rolling them. I was rolling along with two solid birdies on the front and some really solid pars I was on pace for 77 and couldn't hit a putt coming in bogeyed the last 5 holes to end up with a solid 82. Bali Hai was $116 and they have caddie's they just didn't have any yet that morning. Three days in carts threw my of my game little but it was Ok due to the extreme heat.  $236 for 3 rounds not bad not great. I had a lot of fun and we were celebrating my 40th birthday. So I had a great time but I most like would play different courses next time.